Music

Guess Who Tops Kendrick Lamar’s List Of Dream Collabos

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Kendrick Lamar‘s critically acclaimed debut, good kid m.A.A.d. city, offered a modern take on the narrative hip-hop album. While the Compton, CA rapper received a heavy co-sign from Game and a stamp of approval from Dr. Dre, he still has dreams of working with another Compton legend.

Since his album release in October 2012, Lamar has already collaborated with notable artsits such as Busta Rhymes (“Rigamortus (Remix)”), A$AP Rocky, 2 Chainz and Drake (“F***in’ Problems”), and more. In many cases they sought out Lamar as a featured guest.

“It’s a good feeling, it lets me know I’m doing something right,” Lamar told DJ Buck of Hot 93.7 Hartford, CT. “Because I respect them, and for them to give me respect… to be able to do it so early in my career is a great feeling.”

But the one rapper/producer who tops his list of dream collabos is another fellow Compton-based rapper, DJ Quik.

“He is a legend, the original Compton cat that really branded the foundation along with N.W.A,” he said of the rapper/producer who rose to fame in the ’90s. “That’s all we was playing in the house when I was coming up.”

The throwback sound figures heavily into Lamar’s approach to music. His influences are drawn from a bygone era where lyricism was paramount and albums were viewed creatively as a complete works.

“I want to bring back to the essence of that type of feeling… Nas, Biggie, Tupac, really just take it back,” he said. “These kids [today], they don’t know about that sound. I took it upon myself to reintroduce that feeling and vibe to the kids today.”

In December, good kid m.A.A.d. city was certified Gold by the RIAA, which means it hit 500,000 in sales. The album, which was released on October 22 sold more than 230,000 units in its first week and kept up a steady flow since.

Listen to the full interview here, where Lamar reveals his approach to picking singles and if he ever gave his father back those dominoes.